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West Berkshire Lib Dem unveil 2015 manifesto




Party pledge to improve roads, introduce cheaper parking for local residents and bring empty homes back into use if they win election on May 7.

WITH less than a month to go before the local elections, the West Berkshire Liberal Democrat Party has unveiled its manifesto.

The group, which needs an extra 14 seats to take control of the district council, says it is ‘time for change’ and is promising cheaper parking for residents and improvements to libraries and leisure centres if elected on May 7.

One of the Liberal Democrats’ key aims is to broaden the West Berkshire card that gives access and discounts to residents in leisure centres, so that it provides people with cheaper parking in Newbury, and also link it to a scheme with shops to provide discounts in stores.

It says it will fund this from efficiencies, including by reducing the current £150,000 annual contribution to maintain Shaw House.

The party is pledging to bring 200 to 300 empty homes back into use over the next three years and to work with developers to ensure the provision of more homes for single people and young families.

It has also promised to work more closely with schools to improve outcomes and reduce the gap in results from lower achievers to the highest achievers.

The group has targeted roads, promising to reduce congestion, improve the cycle network and introduce 20mph speed limits outside all schools and in residential roads where residents want them.

A Liberal Democrat-run council would also improve the speed and quality of pothole repairs, according to the manifesto.

Other aims are to improve the safeguarding of vulnerable adults, children and young people and reduce the building of new homes on green fields by using every available industrial or derelict brownfield site.

The manifesto states its intention to support community hubs, such as pubs and village shops, by promoting the community right-to-buy and similar schemes, and also push for a bus and rail interchange at Newbury station.

Leader of the West Berkshire Liberal Democrats, Jeff Brooks, said that the current Conservative-controlled council has missed out on more than £1m by failing to re-negotiate old contracts with suppliers.

The party has pledged to eliminate unnecessary costs by reviewing the whole of the council’s expenditure, and by reducing costs further by sharing some services with neighbouring councils and organisations.

Another of the group’s aims is to bring back Neighbourhood Forum meetings to give residents a direct platform to speak to councillors and ensure that all decisions that affect the public are made in public meetings.

The group says that it will attempt to keep council tax as low as possible and promised that any increase would be capped at two per cent above the rate of inflation.

Speaking to the Newbury Weekly News this week, Mr Brooks said: “This election is too close to call.

“We are well thought of here in West Berkshire, we have a strong Lib Dem base and a lot of support.

“This Tory council is tired and it is a time for change.”

In the manifesto, Mr Brooks said: “We are committed to providing a council that listens to our residents, that respects your opinions and that works relentlessly to provide you with better services that put you, our customers, at the heart of our plans and efforts.”

He added: “We do not believe that the present Conservative ruling group has properly consulted with you, our tax payers, in the 10 years they have been running the council."

The Newbury Weekly News will be running details of other parties and candidates every Monday on this website and each week in the paper in the lead up to the elections.



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